Western Basin- Catches of 22 to 28" trophy walleye have continued around Kelley's Island, while limit catches of 14 to 20" fish have increased in the West Sister Island area. Around Kelley's Island large fish are being caught NE of the island near Kelley's Island Shoal and also SE of the island by trolling or drifting bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses with gold or purple blades. In the west fish are being caught near West Sister Island and on the Gravel Pit, an area with gravel substrate about 6 miles NE of Cooley Canal. The best catches have come on crawler harnesses with gold blades or weight forward spinners. Yellow perch fishing is improving in the area around Kelley's Island. Fish are being caught near Kelley's Island shoal, east of Kelley's Island and also south of the island in 25 to 35 feet of water. Spreaders tipped with shiners have been most productive for 7 to 13" fish. Kelley's Island and the Bass Islands have produced the best smallmouth bass catches. Tube jigs and soft craws have been used to catch fish between 15 and 20". Central Basin- Smallmouth bass are being caught on Ruggles Reef near Vermilion in 15 to 25 feet of water and in nearshore breakwall and harbor areas around Lorain, Conneaut, Ashtabula, Geneva, Fairport and Cleveland. Fish measuring over 14" have been caught on tube jigs, jigs tipped with shiners and crankbaits. Yellow perch are being caught within 2 to 3 miles of Lorain, 2 to 3 miles west of Ashtabula, less than 1 mile out from Lakewood and less than 1 mile from E 55th Street in Cleveland. Spreaders tipped with shiners are taking fish from 7 to 13". Walleye fishing in the Central Basin has been best near Ruggles Reef in 30 to 45 feet of water, 1 to 4 miles north of Lorain, 1 to 2 miles west of the Rocky River in 40 feet of water and 5 miles north of Geneva in 60 feet of water. At Ruggles Reef and Lorain trolling crankbaits or casting weight forward spinners have been most productive for fish from 19 to 29". Farther east anglers have been trolling dipsy divers with spoons or crawler harnesses.
Source: ODNR
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